Use of high-content screening to evaluate drug leishmanicidal activity in macrophages

• Grant number: 17/19040-3
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• Start date: October 01, 2017
• End date: February 28, 2022
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Immunology - Cellular Immunology
• Principal Investigator: Dario Simões Zamboni
• Grantee: Leticia de Almeida
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto (FMRP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Ribeirão Preto , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 13/08216-2 - CRID - Center for Research in Inflammatory Diseases, AP.CEPID

Abstract

Leishmania amazonensis is one of the Leishmania species that cause leishmaniasis in Brazil, an endemic disease present in several countries. The disease can cause death and is considered by the World Health Organization a neglected tropical disease. Currently available treatments are expensive, long-lasting, and offer cardiac, hepatic and renal risks to those infected. In some cases, treatment is not effective in controlling infection, and selection of drug-resistant parasites is a major concern. Thus, this project aims to identify possible drugs approved for use in humans that may contribute to the control of L. amazonensis replication in macrophages. The development of this work will help in the future development of effective therapeutic strategies for the treatment of leishmaniasis caused by several species of Leishmania.